Wait, what?!?While idly browsing the Internet, I came across a post claiming that a coyote can actually run faster than a roadrunner. Considering that this information goes against everything I've been taught by cartoons, I refused to believe it.

But I decided to turn to Google Books and briefly research the topic anyway.

Turns out that the greater roadrunner — also known as geococcyx californianus — can hit top speeds of about 42 km/h (26 mph) while running. (This makes it the fastest-running flying bird.)

Coyotes, on the other hand, typically sustain speeds of 40 to 50 km/h (25 to 30 mph),but they can hit speeds of up to 65 km/h (40 mph) for short bursts.